UK wine makers say 2018 could be vintage year because of heatwave

Time to break out the bubbly! UK wine makers say 2018 could be vintage year as heatwave proves ideal for ‘bountiful crop’ to rival French Champagne region

  • The super summer of 2018 could produce ‘bountiful crop’ of English wine
  • A wet spring and early heat wave caused vines to flower early across the UK
  • The ideal weather conditions have already offered generous bunches of grapes

While you savour that glass of vintage vino in 2028 you’ll be taken back to the summer of 2018 when the nation sweltered in stifling 90F heatwave that also happened to be the ideal conditions for the perfect grape.

Recent high temperatures across UK are expected to produce a ‘bountiful harvest’ of UK wine to rival the French Champagne region.

Thanks to a wet spring and recent heatwave, vines have flowered early producing generous bunches.

Due to a wet spring and recent heatwave, vines have flowered early producing generous bunches

 According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) the conditions have been ideal for growing grapes

 According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) the conditions have been ideal for growing grapes

five of the best-known winemakers in the UK  

  • Denbies – Dorking
  • Camel Valley – Cornwall 
  • Three Choirs Vineyards – Gloucestershire  
  • Chapel Down  vineyard – Kent
  •  English Wine Centre – East Sussex 

According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) the conditions have been ideal for growing grapes.

WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: ‘The last bumper year for English wine was back in 2014 when good weather created ideal growing conditions for our grapes,

‘Vineyards across the UK producing the equivalent of 6.3 million bottles of English and Welsh wine that year.’ 

Vintage wine is created when grapes are all or primarily grown and harvested in a particular year. It takes ten years for the wine to reach it’s full potential and hit the shelves as a vintage bottle.

High temperatures across UK are expected to produce a 'bountiful harvest' of UK wine to rival the French Champagne region

High temperatures across UK are expected to produce a ‘bountiful harvest’ of UK wine to rival the French Champagne region

Viticultural consultant Stephen Skelton said: ‘Vines like the heat. It’s been the best year I’ve ever known, 

‘It’s going to be a very early vintage, which is always good for quality,’ he added, ‘Most people haven’t seen rain for a couple of months but I haven’t seen any vines suffering drought stress.’

Chief executive of Chapel Down vineyard, Frazer Thompson said: ‘The flowering has been completely uninterrupted and early, and the bunches look regular and superb, and the forecast is also good.’

Vintage wine is created when grapes are all or primarily grown and harvested in a particular year

Vintage wine is created when grapes are all or primarily grown and harvested in a particular year

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